Cherokee County, Texas
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 79/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to state averages, Cherokee County scores well — its 8 ZIP codes sit above the baseline for tap water quality.
How Cherokee County Compares
How Cherokee County Compares
Cherokee County scores 3 points below the Texas state average (82/100) and 11 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cherokee County, Texas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.3 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 14.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $833, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.384% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
55.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Cherokee County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 36 violations. Past 5 years: 75 total (75 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $833
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
17,338 housing units in Cherokee County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Cherokee County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cherokee County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Cherokee County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Cherokee County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Wells | 853 | 77 |
| 2 | Forest Water Supply Corporation | 651 | 77 |
| 3 | Cuney Rural Water Supply | 115 | 76 |
| 4 | Stryker Lake Water Supply Corporation | 978 | 58 |
| 5 | City of New Summerfield | 906 | 58 |
29 total water systems serve Cherokee County.
All ZIP Codes in Cherokee County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Cherokee County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75772 | Maydelle | 98 | A | 11 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 75925 | Alto | 93 | A | 28 (2 health) | $113K |
| 3 | 75785 | Rusk | 85 | A | 6 | $159K |
| 4 | 75784 | Reklaw | 84 | B | 4 (3 health) | $136K |
| 5 | 75766 | Jacksonville | 82 | B | 10 (5 health) | $144K |
| 6 | 75759 | Cuney | 81 | B | 66 (3 health) | — |
| 7 | 75780 | New Summerfield | 55 | C | 48 (27 health) | — |
| 8 | 75976 | Wells | 55 | C | 49 (20 health) | $73K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cherokee County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 55.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cherokee County, Texas
Overview
Cherokee County in Texas covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (79/100).
8 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 61 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Texas water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.